Pre-16

The Widening Participation team are able to offer a range of both in-school sessions, which can also be delivered virtually, and campus visits for schools across the region.  

Our activities raise awareness of the benefits of university and inspire your learners to think about their future, particularly among learners who are from backgrounds which are currently under-represented in higher education.  

Key Stage 3 and 4 Masterclasses

Our masterclasses are designed to give your students an insight into what university is really like. They are made up of half- or full-day mini lectures and interactive workshops that are linked to the national curriculum.

Key Stage 3

Business, Marketing and Finance

Computing and Games 

Creative Arts and Media

Health, Sport and Exercise

Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

Law, Policing, Forensics and Criminology

Science and Engineering

Key Stage 4

Business, Marketing and Finance

Computing and Games 

Creative Arts and Media

Health, Sport and Exercise

Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

Law, Policing, Forensics and Criminology

Science and Engineering

Careers advice and guidance

University Experience Days - UNITY 

This on campus day will be delivered as part of the UNIty project. 

UNIty is a collaborative project delivered in partnership with Keele University and Harper Adams University. It aims to increase pupils’ awareness of higher education showing them what to expect if they go to university. It raises awareness of the benefits of university and inspires your learners to think about their future and what they could achieve. 

The day will include a, campus tour, all delivered by our specially trained undergraduate and postgraduate students, along with interactive workshops delivered by the three Universities showcasing the variety of subjects available in the region.  

Visits must be arranged in advance, so that a suitable programme can be arranged and are subject to appropriate staff and venues being available.  

Please note, there are a limited number of places per school and the event has a capacity of 90 pupils per day. We would request that students participating in the events meet one or more of our widening participation criteria.  Please email the Schools and Colleges Liason team to enquire.

STEM Ambassadors 

Connecting young people with STEM industry experts.

STEM Ambassadors help to bring STEM subjects alive and provide real-life examples of industry careers, creating an invaluable link between schools and industry. For the last 20 years, they have been an incredible resource to schools, colleges and communities across the UK and can be requested to support STEM skills across the curriculum and cross-curricular work. 

Request a STEM ambassador
in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021